x
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~I’ve been cursed with isolation, you see.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1KoLQUjJ6
302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCk9R5va34
Bright headlights beaming into bricks and concrete of the sidewalks on Park Street. The trees’ branches swayed in the wind, and so did the leaves, like a ballet dancer, droves of people were scampering into the Park Street MBTA station, entering the metal and glass doors, hastily marching down the stairs. The other buildings on Park street had closed their windows, but some had the lights on, to light the sidewalk for other travelers. And for some, a fancy restaurant on the upper end of Park Street, nearly below the street with no clear way on how to get inside. Samantha wondered where the entrance was.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj4wb8ZQFn
A car drove by, speeding through the red light, honking its horn. The tires squealed as it turned the corner, and Sam covered her ears as the noise scratched her inner lobes.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqP5vqS9L0
“I take it you didn’t get an overseas conference call,” Samantha knew Michael couldn’t make it every Tuesday, because his clients’ operated in numerous time zones, and sometimes he was forced to stay late.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5jmyj2nlN
“No. I got an email that that’s not going to be happening for a while, I think. Tensions are rising quickly overseas, with Poland and Ukraine,” Michael covered a yawn with his hand.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Px4VjDaWK
“What do you mean?” Tim’s head immediately jerked, turning to Michael with alarm. The lights from inside the church flashed out as the receptionist flicked the switch off and on.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4fy6x9Hd7
“Well,” he began, his eyes darted back and forth, making sure no one else was listening. “Look, you didn’t hear it from me, and I’m not sure the validity of this, but it has a lot of people overseas concerned. We won’t be trading anything overseas for a while, or that’s what I heard. And this is just a rumor, but apparently NATO is disbanding.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPacyLu9iP
Sam turned her gaze to the ground, kicking some pebbles to the side. She reflected on what that might mean. If NATO disbands, will the U.S.A be protecting anyone anymore, and if not, who are the allies? Will this turn into a world where every country is independent, just waiting for a large superpower to come in and swallow them up? What will keep those superpowers in check? What will that do to diesel fuel prices? Ukraine and Poland, what cause do they have to be tense with one another?302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICQdSbhurh
“Wait. What?” Jennifer jerked her head to him. “Why? That’s a big development for that to just be a rumor. Michael, you realize it would take fifty liars to even think of spreading a rumor that big!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL1w3bu0I9
“Again. Rumor. That’s all I know, and you didn’t hear it from me,” he replied.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7aQcLkq4m
“Dang it. I think I might be fine. I don’t know how much my customer takes in imports. I think it’s all local though,” Samantha said, interlacing her fingers in between her hands. The only thing that would really affect her in the brokerage, would be the gas prices. It makes it difficult to find trucks cheaply to deliver truckloads of groceries.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTfQtAFTBM
Michael sucked air through his teeth. “Yeah, and I’ll likely take a pay cut as many of my associates are over there. But the effects of that is going to change the market considerably. Sam, I think it’s only a matter of time before the effects catch up to you; even if this is a rumor.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo6z2V4Qbm
“If it’s only a rumor, what’s the harm?” Tim asked.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJDSLqovMD
“The market changes drastically, constantly. There’s no way to accurately predict what it will do. Besides, even these rumors will affect the market eventually, creating a great rift in the economic sphere. These rumors, even if they aren’t true, will cause an economic collapse eventually, or just a severe recession,” Jennifer explained. The doors opened and the rest of the congregation walked outside. Samantha stared at Jennifer, shocked that she put so many coherent business sentences together in a row. She didn’t give Jennifer enough credit, apparently. “I’m not an economist. My brother is in stocks. Options specifically. He told me about all of this. The market is impossible to predict, but we can get close; behavioral finance and all that.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD84HgGwYOf
“There’s your answer. Even if it’s false, it’s bad,” Michael shook his head and patted his pants with one of his hands.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaNlWJ3S3M
“Well, there goes my 401K flying right out the window,” Tim exclaimed, putting a hand through his hair. “Oh well, I suppose I could opt out of it now, I’ll just get taxed heavily on it. Thanks for the heads up.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0kpnGyHTK
The noise of the rest of the studiers came out to a dull roar. Brian came up to them, he had a thinly shaved beard and mustache, his eyes were wide awake. He was scrawny for his height, built much like a basketball player, only significantly shorter. “Hey, you guys coming to Terri Nation?” He wrapped his arm around Michael like an old friend and had that overbearingly enthusiastic smile on his face.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0yAe92xeu
Samantha rolled her eyes at the mention of Teri Nation, the local pub right around the corner, where they all went out for some dinner, and drinks to continue fellowshipping together after the study. After all, why waste a perfectly good night to play catch up.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DVVdcP1Tt
“You know it,” Michael shook his hand. “Wouldn’t miss it.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLTmxQj4wE
“Great! I’m going to head back over here now. I need to recruit some of the newbies,” Brian disappeared into the small crowd, talking to a few new faces Samantha didn’t recognize.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB9UEY0cO2
“Well, I suppose it’s time,” Michael said. “You all coming? We should start leading the cattle.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7BZUoWkwI
“Such a specific metaphor,” Samantha said.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1emQ7b0wq
“Not really,” Michael and Tim started walking backwards up Park street, towards Beacon street, waving their hands towards them, ushering everyone to follow. “Last stop, Teri Nation. Who’s coming?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkg16P5g7p
Michael and Tim started chatting to each other as they briskly walked up the sidewalk towards the City Hall.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwg3mdzGxU
Many of the other people around them continued to talk. Others started following in small groups. Jennifer linked arms with Samantha. Erin ran towards them from her group. Her giddiness gave her a child-like aura that was only complemented by the freckles across her cheeks. Samantha braced herself for what she expected to be ten times the amount of Erin’s normal bubbliness.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTtO7aUUpn
“So, what are you smiling about?” Samantha asked as they walked onwards.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUPzwJjx44
“Well, our office just hired another broker out of nowhere last week. He seems to have already settled in,” Erin smiled. “Though he often refers to me as the press.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DJjTWPnQl
“The press?” Samantha’s eyes stretched open.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq5JNFRudp
“My last name. Gutenberg. The Gutenberg Press,” Erin explained.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPViajW9eky
“Okay, but what does that have to do with you smiling already? Do you like him or something?” Samantha teased.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9RPb1LPWi
“Erin’s got a crush again,” Jennifer chuckled, elbowing Samantha in the side. “Seriously, if it is not one man, then it is an equally terrifying different man, sometimes a stranger.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkwNo4FFQj
“I do not!” Erin scolded. Samantha assumed Erin was blushing in the dark. “Jennifer, you always find a way to make something innocent sound so inappropriate. Anyway, he’s very smart apparently. He is an excellent resource to go to for help. My job would finally be secure if I went to him for advice.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoSlc358au
“How do you know that? He just started the job last week?” Jennifer asked. “No one learns the job that fast.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9zC0IvOxd
“He already closed a few hundred-thousand-dollar-deals last week,” Erin said. “Either he knows what he’s doing or is extremely lucky.”
“What?” Samantha couldn’t believe it. She herself was working a deal with another customer, but she is not making nearly that much in gross revenue, although it was a different business altogether. “How?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BElRxduWU
“I’m going to ask him tomorrow. I’ll let you know. Although, I don’t know how that will help you. You’re in logistics, not in stocks,” She snapped her fingers.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2ZgCRAfA8
“Maybe I’ll just invest in a mutual fund,” Samantha sneered. She had little interest in stocks to begin with.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOY4mlQQ8W
“You two go ahead and talk finance if you want. I’m sticking to my germs. Much more interesting,” Jennifer said as they turned onto Beacon street.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbFYPba4BY
“So, what’s his name?” Samantha leaned into Erin, bumping against her.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmGCC0i7us
“He goes by Ted,” Erin answered. “He said he’s from Ohio. Not a very social person though, doesn’t talk much.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLx7mDfbhY
“So, enough about this individual that neither Sam nor I are going to meet. July Fourth. Erin, are you still coming? I need to order the canoes, and I need to have an idea of how many I need to reserve. We plan on meeting at Kendall Square at 6PM.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIi18d1xSJ
“Yes, I’ll go,” Erin exclaimed. “I’d love to go, I might be late, I need to skip lunch to leave work early.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDRl2ss7Fm
“Don’t worry about food, there will be plenty. I’ll be packing sandwiches again,” Jennifer said. They were approaching Terri Nation which was on the corner heading back down towards Tremont Street. The City Hall was staring down at them with the lights behind the gates, and the Joseph Hooker Statue, riding on a horse.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiqI4D2hzU
“That’s probably not the best thing. You might want to think of something else. Sandwiches don’t taste good out in the open sea,” Samantha suggested. “Maybe we can get Michael to cook something with his smoker. Or perhaps just bring some vegetables or something.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWBo4zA77c
“But poor dear Erin will be hungry. She’s skipping her lunch after all.” Jennifer chuckled as she opened the door into Teri Nation. “I mean to be fair, most of us, except me, will not have time to actually eat something after work. I mean, you get out late enough as it is.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPobXRcjgVz
“It’ll take a few hours, its fine,” Samantha replied.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0REkWrcS0
They walked through the restaurant section of the bar, walking through the wide hallway and took a left of the statue of a little girl flying a kite at the side. Michael and Tim were already sat in the back of the upstairs bar, talking to one another about something, while sipping on their own drink. Michael was always trying the weird concoctions that the bar tender mixed. He was like Scott’s guinea pig.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn1OiZmoC8
“What’s goin’ on Sam. What can I get you?” Scott wore a black vest over a white button up shirt and black slacks behind his bar. Everyone on the wait staff wore the same uniform.
“House Cab is fine,” she answered pulling out her card. “I’ll close out.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaWvf45RiU
Scott took the card and went to pour her a quick glass of red Cabernet wine. He always had a heavy pour.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Mjh6tg51
“Scott, I’ll take your specialty. Whatever that is at this moment,” Jennifer asked. Like Michael, she was also an adventurous drinker.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeRkBRs4jv
“I’ll also take a cider. Bottle please,” Erin called out; her hand raised as her other hand reached for her pocketbook.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrQYEPucNo
“Together or separate?” Scott called as he reached behind the bar and undid the cap of a frosted bottle of hard cider.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV27wRVKu6v
“Together. I’ll buy it,” Erin said, nudging Jennifer in the side. “The least I can do if I’m trusting you with my food on the Fourth of July.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8O1nDZy3M
Erin winked at Jennifer and squeezed her shoulder.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UdhoW2MmI
He then made the very odd drink with Bourbon, triple sec, coke, muddle mint and cucumbers. Jennifer frowned curiously as the drink was handed to her. Her eyes skimmed over the physical ingredients, noting this beverage, whatever it might be, should taste refreshing; however, such a taste would likely contrast unwelcomingly with the bourbon. “Well, it is different,” she took a sip. And made a puckered face as if filled with something that was too sour. And it did contrast, the way Jennifer expected it to, “Did Michael like this?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3M6aPyeQl
“He liked it,” Scott started chuckling. “Do you?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPT0shmUBi
“It’s certainly different, I’ll give you ten points for originality,” her face cringed. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to like this or not yet. Give me a few minutes.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmcHC7HUSK
“Gotcha,” he chuckled, quickly moving back to address the rest of his guests.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3ZHSGAjvv
Brian came in with his crowd of nearly fifteen different guests. Looks like he succeeded in inviting the new people here. Well, this certainly is great for the community. They are all new to Boston, or many of them anyways. This isn’t a bad spot to be, Sam thought. Brian’s friendliness and his great charisma was what kept Samantha interested in these little late-night gatherings, and surprisingly, kept her going to Park Street Church instead of some local church.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxZgv6rlFx
Samantha knew that Scott was going to have a good night. She sipped her wine as she gazed up at the TV screen. Scott generally kept the news on in the back: unless they requested the sports channel. He was always very friendly, though when she first came here, he did seem like a tired and disgruntled man. He couldn’t have been more than thirty. He hid a smile underneath that thick beard of his.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVwMnE6meb
Sam looked over to Brian again, noticing he took out a little pen and piece of paper, engaging enthusiastically in conversation with everyone he invited. He spent more time with the new faces than the old ones, nodding as they spoke, showing his elite listening skills. Sam guessed quite accurately he was offering to buy them a round tonight, by jotting things down on his notepad. Brian leaned over the bar top, and slapped his hand on it, and looked intently in Scott’s eyes as they engaged in some unrelated conversation which Sam couldn’t hear. Brian read off the slip of paper, and Scott immediately punched some buttons on the electronic touch pad and printed out a receipt, handing it to Brian before hastily disappearing behind the bar. Brian immediately returned to the newcomers, turning their hesitant smiles to enthusiastic ones. Samantha thought, Brian was better at making anyone feel comfortably at home.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyYclr211V
Then she noticed something familiar. The hair on her head felt like they stood on ends, and the chills came over her, cascading like a powerful wind. Goosebumps rose-up from her arms. She looked around, not trying to alarm anyone, hoping this may have been her imagination. Other people around the bar were putting on their sweatshirts or wrapping themselves with their arms. She chose to ignore it. Someone probably just turned the thermostat down. But damn it’s cold!302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lZBdTOtya
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed someone. He was sitting by himself at the other end of the bar, perhaps ten paces from her, drinking a glass of red wine, like hers. Merlot? Or Cab? It was the same man from Saturday, first at the cross walk, then inside the Garden. Now here. And it seems the last time the temperature dropped so much and so quickly was with him around. Who was he?302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1vO6my1cD
Scott brought this man a plate of mashed potatoes. This man still seemed to be smiling very widely as he thanked Scott for the plate. Scott asked him if he needed anything else, but he declined, and said,302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjreKovaVr9
64302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD7Kob3yWd
“I have more than I require right now. Thank you.” She took a closer look as the man took a fork and put it into the mashed potatoes and started eating it. Sam squinted her eyes at the man to see some lined scars on his face. The words barely made it to her ears with the volume of the bar.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjs9y8tNKK
Twice she saw the man in a social setting. Twice she saw the man isolated in the social setting. Perhaps he was new to Boston, and looking for friends, perhaps socially inept. Well, I’m not Brian. But I’ll see what I can do. I at least know something to spin off on, she thought.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5F5q1noJI
She took a sip from her glass, scanning the bar top for Scott when he got a second. She raised her arm and called him over. Scott walked over, drying a beer glass with a towel. Scott leaned over the bar, both palms rested firmly on the bar top after setting the glass down, “What’s up Sam?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbghAD8rLO
“That man over there,” she leaned in over the bar, pointing a finger to the man in the corner, retracting the finger around her wineglass.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2xPEayrlO
Scott turned his head briefly to look, “That’s Ted. He’s been coming here lately.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaA4hTOcfK
“Do you know what he does?” Sam asked.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcPrDtINy8
“No, he’s a polite person, but a man of few words.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgCzraXTse
“Well, thanks for that. That was it. Thank you!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifXFbVWoLg
She started walking quietly towards him. He ate silently. She was standing behind him as he was engrossed in his food, scarfing it down quickly. He took a sip of his wine again, turning the glass and looking into it as if he was lost in thought.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9g6GSKMhW
“Well, well, well, so a rat sneaks behind me, eh?” said the man. He never bothered to look from his wine. “To what exactly do I owe for the pleasure of such as this?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWuukJMgcn
Samantha abruptly halted. Her wineglass trembled in her hand as she looked down at the ripples inside the glass. Did I make a sound? No. Wait. Could he smell my perfume or was it the wine?302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ7rJc6o03
“The scent of Cabernet was coming closer and closer. I could smell it approaching me, and then suddenly the scent just lingered. You can’t be more than twenty-three inches behind me.” He turned in his stool and looked up to her, and his smile was still wide. “How may I help you?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdqMFg21sz
“Startling, well I’m not a rat,” she chuckled nervously.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSwPrbq43q
“And yet you came to me as silent as a rat.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBvOGm8Ikv
Well, he’s not socially inept, that is certain. He’s eloquent and very formal. She found him to be unnerving, yet intriguing all the same, “Rats can be silent nuisances, but I couldn’t help but notice that I’ve seen you before,” she commented.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuSPHurF1R
“Well, this is the Heart of Boston. Odds are there are many faces we see again and again, and maybe we recognize a few reoccurring faces here and there, but we never make a point to meet one of them. I know I certainly don’t,” he replied. His smile never faded. He stood up and rose his glass to hers. She clinked their glasses together, “Cheers.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetzQhJmLji
Sam found him to be more mysterious, greeting her with a friendly smile, but the words comparing her to a rat was a bit unsettling. He was confident, this was evident, but was there something about her he found to be untrusting? She bit her tongue, fearing she made some kind of social error. Brian is better suited for this, but I can’t back down now.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4DxD1Hkdl
“That is something true you have just said. My name is Samantha Harris,” she said. She brought her hand out to meet his other hand to shake it.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNziU2Qe2S
He reached out his hand to meet hers, shaking it. Samantha could hear the bones in her hand crack: he had a very firm and strong grip. “My name is Ted Anderson.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftxFDjooRy
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She didn’t want to make it too obvious she asked about him.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9IwF9xBiD
“To be sure, Miss Harris, the pleasure is all mine. Now, I ask again; to what do I owe the pleasure of such an introduction?” There was something different about him though, his brown watery eyes looked right into hers. Ted appeared to her to be in his mid-twenties, but the eyes told a different story, as if they were much older than his body.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVsJux7V0m
“I ran into you twice on Saturday. Right on the corner of Park and Tremont, and then again on the same day at the Garden, towards the end of that night,” she admitted, “You seemed to be by yourself, while everyone else was grouped together, or coupled.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxLvBBXRQy
“Was that around the time the temperature dropped?” he asked.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe4h0GkhcE
Her eyes blinked repeatedly. So, I’m not crazy. “Y—you felt that too? I thought I was just imagining things,” she stammered as she took another sip from her glass, looking cautiously at Ted. She felt something in her gut, like she should be wary of this man. Numerous people were with her that night, and only she and Ted felt it. And only they acknowledged it. Why didn’t any of them feel anything?302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTpsc0p6pl
“Yes, I felt it also,” he said, “Well, that’s New England for you.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrBQQskwRn
“Yes,” she said, lowering her voice a little bit. “Have you been around Boston for very long?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTMoY5S5am
“A few weeks,” He answered.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcySCmV9OK
“What brought you here?” She thought to ask another question, hoping to find something to latch on to. She could hear multiple steps behind her, and the music played from the speakers, and the chatter sounded like white noise.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNPmdhEBmg
“Work,” he answered.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtAYmXfoql
“Where are you from?” She was dissatisfied with the answer, as simple as it was. Sure, it very well could be true, but there wasn’t enough information released from him to pose any meaningful conversation.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVE8VQxfnu
“Ohio.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrEiM5itHX
“What part?” You’re like a steel trap.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut9FmgMVzv
“Delaware,” he shifted on his stool as he took another bite of his mashed potatoes.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Gz8Rof1L
“There’s a store I deliver to frequently over there,” excitedly, she finally found something.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn34y3MYWG
“Oh, and what is it that you do?” His expression didn’t change, but he leaned back against the bar and crossed his hands over his chest.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoXpnCCRkx
“I work for a 3PL. I deliver groceries for a major wholesaler. I’m a broker.” Dang it. She wasn’t expecting him to start asking questions, not that she had anything really to hide from him, but she wasn’t done trying to figure out who he was.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6W5Ljooc8
“As am I. I deal with stocks,” he answered. “And options.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhMP4CglMu
It finally hit her. He might work with Erin. “Do you know Erin Gu—”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJx7fEiR7l
“The Gutenberg Press? Yes. I work with her,” he laughed.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthRTZpSawI
“Yes!” she laughed. “That is exactly what she said you call her. She said something about you today on our way over here.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD8of8iawi
“Terrible things, I’m sure,” he replied, never lessening that smile.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7g6kEkFbf
“No, she said you are very good at your job.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1YeGbZxGS
“No. I am just very lucky.” He got a buzz from his phone. “Excuse me a moment.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYklC7DZ6Bo
He pulled out his phone and opened something up. Samantha assumed it was a work-related email. He read it intently. He shut the screen off from his phone and put it back into his pocket. “Well, on one hand that was terrible. On the other, I’m glad I sold all of those.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg3GrWxmeb
“What?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVaMVnLgwZ
“Oh, NATO just disbanded, and Russian just declared War on Ukraine,” he said nonchalantly. “I just sold most of my foreign assets. Those values are going to drop overnight. I wonder, how will the rest of the European Union fare? Will they follow suit? Will they get involved? Most likely, as they have always done. It’s unfortunate that the world came to this.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5yIvZrPT9
“How do you know?” she asked. Well, I guess that confirms the rumor Michael told them, but how exactly are you this calm about it? Ukraine is apparently pissing everyone off! Samantha knew that national allegiances were trembling as of late, the news told them that much. To her it seemed most everyone was inches away from everyone’s throats at any given time, and Russia and Ukraine were now the only confirmed cases of political collapse. How soon will this uncertainty reach America? Sam couldn’t help but wonder.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzUxddeAeV
“Like I said, I’m very lucky. However, some of the higher ups might think I actually know something when I don’t,” he let out a brief sigh. “Oh well, I’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaYqTJ30Z3
She turned abruptly, “Michael!” she waved at him as he was now talking with Erin. Samantha noticed that Erin frowned at them with her pouty eyes. She noted that Erin seemed to be boy crazy, she didn’t expect that kind of behavior from someone going to church weekly. But we all have our own shortcomings.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlLXSB4dIz
“Ted, this is my boyfriend, Michael,” she introduced them.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo6pupwfbE
Michael walked over with a friendly smile on his face and introduced himself. Michael shook Ted’s hand, and Samantha could hear the bones in Michael’s hand cracking.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6juKv52Ci
“Firm grip. I like it!” Michael released his hand.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgUgNAIxTM
“So, Michael, you know that thing you talked about earlier?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OPwHgGerf
“I said you didn’t hear it from me,” he said defensively, abruptly turning to her, frowning.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKabd6hLUY
“It’s on the news already,” she frowned, knowing that since these rumors were true, global collapse might not be far behind, she guessed this would immediately affect Michael’s line of work drastically.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7VDtWX2ZH
“Wait. What?” Michael asked. “Already? I just found out about it, but I thought those were rumors.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg43y03qt0S
“Rumors have an unfortunate way of being steeped in truth. Odds are, if something is completely unbelievable, it is probably true,” Ted said. “I knew of the rumor but thought nothing of it until this morning. Thank God I followed my gut. I can sleep peacefully now.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkKYtC0lyX
“Well, it is only a matter of time then. Someone’s going to punch someone important,” Mike replied.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCBRY2plaj
Ted threw his head back in laughter.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHhVCN4xkY
“I think that already happened,” Samantha said. “Apparently Russia’s on a war path again.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf3TnOzNBk
The phone vibrated in Ted’s pocket again. He pulled it out of his inside pocket and looked at his notification. He read the notification, “That’s not the only one on a war path. Well, I guess it was only inevitable that this would happen.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jjmxpEbla
“What now?” Samantha asked. She was considering how this news was going to affect her. It was clearly going to affect her business. Oil prices are going to raise. Rates for truck drivers are going to rise to reflect that change. Her rates are contracted.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8dBNd6GSH
Renegotiating her contracted rates are likely to be fruitless. Her individual margins are going to decline. Her profitability is going to plummet. How soon before this all hits home?302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepKUz1W8ga
“Trade deals with China aren’t going well apparently,” Ted explained. “That being said, it’s only a matter of time before someone declares war. It is like twenty years ago.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJqJkNpGzw
“Those were not good times,” Michael said. “Every major nation was at everyone’s throats.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBT6Exnbih
“Precisely. The global economy was trash then,” Ted rose his hand in the air. He dropped it back down. “And just like my hand, we’ll probably be freefalling for a while, well, then it starts to decline that’s when we’ll be freefalling.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAiaUrsTGI
“You seem to know a lot about this,” Michael said, taking a sip of his exotic, but potentially terrible tasting drink.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rtoaURBtv
“I was in the Army before I came here, China was never too keen on Americans,” he kept his smile, but reluctantly gave that answer. “I know too much already.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnWvtsrkj
Samantha knew this would pique Michael’s interest. His brother was in the 75th Ranger Regiment, “What was your—”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLK6cNfPeR
“My occupation in the Army is classified, above top secret,” he said softly. “I can’t disclose any information on what I did. I hope you understand.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PY9BwsUd3
“I do,” Michael said. “My brother is in the Army. He is much the same way. Doesn’t give out much information than what is necessary.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRq9sZDpLc
Erin finally walked over, her hand resting across her chest. “Ted, did you just get Adam’s email?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjstSqL4io
“Yes, Gutenberg’s Press. I did. I got both of them. Well, if you have any foreign assets, I’d suggest selling them now. The market is still open. You may find a buyer, but if you don’t, I’d advise holding onto it and riding it out, or selling it as soon as possible.” This was clearly meant for Erin, and he gave her advice to work on, but Samantha picked up on something, noting just how volatile the stock markets are: Sell now, unless you can’t, then hold onto it until it rises again. Or just sell later. The window of trading that fast was small.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd3vJN81sE
“Did you already sell yours?” she asked. “How did you know this would happen?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJVnStZdqj
“I didn’t. I just guessed. You should listen to those rumors more closely,” he chuckled.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3vEEk7xiq
“This is going to be a nightmare,” Michael said, ruffling his hand through his hair.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjxkCwtYC7
Jennifer popped up with her drink in hand. “Michael, you have terrible taste in this stuff. Why do I let you talk me into these things?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZo372QZv0
Samantha felt a weight lift off her chest as her attention was immediately turned away from the horrific events happening with the world to something, albeit random, more pleasant. For that, she was exceedingly thankful for Jennifer’s interruption.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOGMJls7Ce
“First of all, I didn’t say anything,” he laughed, nudging her shoulder with his.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtFBwdwrJe
“I mean seriously, this is disgusting, why would you drink this?” She turned her gaze to Ted. “So, who is this who is hogging up the party?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxCqz3FLfD
“I mean, you can barely call this a party,” Samantha said as Erin was back onto her phone, monitoring her emails.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWZyYwMnfn
“I have to go. I’ll see you next Tuesday!” Erin walked over to her green purse.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJspO5Ains
Samantha waved as Erin walked out of the bar, relieved as Erin’s constant pining after men was growing tiresome.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnqgXO2rR8
“This is Ted. You know; that Ted,” Sam clicked her tongue as she pointed to Erin on her way out.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM4RfrIaV3
“What Ted—oh! That Ted! Well, I’ll say little to compromise anything. I’m Jennifer, and welcome to our little dysfunctional family,” she joked. “Never mind me. I’m the crazy one.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIuPFO2IXc
Samantha chuckled. She’s never boring.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkDCYpiMtU
“Speaking of, Ted,” Jennifer seemed to take over the conversation. She would have made a great executive. “We are going to rent a few canoes over the Charles on the Fourth of July. I know it’s about a month away. You should totally come with!”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Asj0RpaCZ
“Fireworks, over a body of water,” Ted said. “I appreciate the sentiment, Miss, however, I’m afraid I must decline.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14xGHuyqXZ
“Oh, well that’s too bad. Everyone here is going,” she turned her head as if looking for someone. “Now, where is Brian?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8MzUHtq8p
“He drove Tim home,” Michael answered. “Tim had an early meeting for an event that’s scheduled tomorrow. He couldn’t be out too late.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y7NcbN0bt
“Such a shame. He really is personable. More fun than I am!” She wrapped her arm around Michael as she smiled.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTNHg0lmSj
Samantha and Jennifer’s minds were thinking alike. No matter how hesitant one could be, Brian can always get someone to bend.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw7I94lA7b
“I doubt that very much,” Ted commented, making eye contact with her. Jennifer’s hazel eyes gleamed in the dim light of the bar.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTDQ4qKb7L
“Oh, well, I guess you can’t come under any circumstances, then, huh? Nothing we can do to persuade you?” Jennifer tried to coax some more amiable answer out of him.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGInaQQvTZS
“Unfortunately, no,” Ted answered. “But I appreciate the offer, all the same.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnhEBFOrvn
“Oh, well.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g1DTv6Gkp
“Well, what about Tuesday next week? Are you doing anything after you get off work?” Samantha pitched in, eager to see more of this mysterious person. She barely struck the surface of who he was, and to her seemed one dimensional. She was eager to get the full picture and get the story of those ragged eyes and enthusiastic smile. The contrast didn’t sit well with her.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iyWGiGzdd
“Um?” he hesitated. Sam briefly noticed his hand shaking as he hid it in his pocket. “Depends, if I decide to leave work or not. I’m a workaholic, and perhaps that depends completely on the rest of the information I know you are inclined to give me.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IfEa9qtEh
“We have a Bible Study that we go to on Tuesdays. It starts at seven at Park Street. This next week is tasty Tuesdays so there are snacks before,” Samantha continued, linking arms with Michael.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJTPCGOsGp
“I think Sarah is making baclava,” Michael said, sipping his who knows-what-it-tastes like drink.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqxqE14DgG
“Oh, yes, that’s a splendid idea.” Jennifer butted in again, clapping her hands together. “Seriously, Ted, you must come. It’s much less of a commitment than going canoeing with us in July. Especially if you’re new to Boston. It might be nice to have some kind of community that doesn’t include drowning yourself in work.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7VUstidxJ
“I’m not going to lie; I do like working,” Ted explained, sipping more of his wine. “But with everything else that is going on in the world, I likely won’t be able to find anything worth buying in those oversea markets anymore. What’s one day going to hurt? Where is it?”
"Yes. But its tasty Tuesday so you don't have to show up right at seven. You can show up a little after,” Samantha answered, suddenly conscientious about how much she’d been speaking. “It is the best time for it a newcomer. We’d love to see you there, but no pressure.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie5EkB5dq7
“I’ll be there,” he drank the rest of his wine and grabbed his tab. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBXdbPSlW8
Samantha smiled as he left, and she felt a weight being lifted off her chest. I’m still not Brian. Brian could have gotten him to go out for the Fourth for sure.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqWObN6bFY
“So, how did you meet him?” Michael asked.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vdv5VOOZV
“Spill it, Sam, spill it. Details girl!” Jennifer exclaimed. “I need details.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyqzrx6NTt
“I saw him twice on Saturday. First at the corner of the church, and then at the garden,” she answered.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2YG3IgL1i
“Like when you swore the temperature dropped?” Michael inquired. He seemed a little more curious now.302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqDMddTwly
“Yes. He was there when the temperature dropped, and then again when the temperature dropped again in here. Didn’t you feel it?”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cuCVXjVN0
“Yes,” Michael admitted. “But that could have been anything. I wouldn’t worry about something so trivial as the temperature dropping, especially here in New England. The temperature and weather changes daily, besides, if it happened here, it was probably just the air conditioning,” he glanced at his watch. “And look at the time! It is time to be going.”302Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHfNRUn4HK
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